After every election Virginia McVea said the organisation reviewed all polling station logs to learn lessons (Liam McBurney/PA)

The office received under 200 complaints, fewer than at previous elections. This is for an eligible electorate of around 1.3 million.

The Electoral Office has been waiting to set up a new telephone system for some time.

Ms McVea said: “The number of unplanned elections in the last three years interrupted this work but now that we believe we have a period between elections which will enable us to do the work on the phone system we are currently awaiting contractors who will as part of their work put more lines in to the office.

“During one day in the lead up to the election BT phone lines were down in part of Belfast. This was an issue with BT and not the Electoral Office Northern Ireland.

“We followed best advice during those hours which involved using mobile devices.”

She issued a report on alleged administrative irregularities to the Northern Ireland Office.